Apparatus and methods for enforcement of policies upon a wireless device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for changing one or more functional or operational aspects of a wireless device, such as upon the occurrence of a certain event. In one embodiment, the event comprises detecting that the wireless device is within range of one or more other devices. In another variant, the event comprises the wireless device associating with a certain access point. In this manner, various aspects of device functionality may be enabled or restricted (device “policies”). This policy enforcement capability is useful for a variety of reasons, including for example to disable noise and/or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater), for preventing wireless devices from communicating with other wireless devices (such as in academic settings), and for forcing certain electronic devices to enter “sleep mode” when entering a sensitive area.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/217,042 entitled “Apparatus and Methods for Enforcement of PoliciesUpon a Wireless Device”, filed Mar. 17, 2014, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/595,836, of the same title, filedAug. 27, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,676,182, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/215,592, of the same title, filedJun. 26, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,254,902, all of which are fullyincorporated herein by reference for all purposes and to the extent notinconsistent with this application.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of wirelesscommunications. More particularly, in one exemplary aspect, the presentinvention is directed to remotely enforcing operational policies on awireless device upon the occurrence of a certain condition.

2. Description of Related Technology

As wireless devices such as cellular telephones, pagers, personal mediadevices and smartphones become ubiquitous, more and more people arecarrying these devices in various social and professional settings. Theresult is that these wireless devices can often annoy, frustrate, andeven threaten people in sensitive venues. For example, cell phones withloud ringers frequently disrupt meetings, the presentation of movies,religious ceremonies, weddings, funerals, academic lectures, andtest-taking environments.

Excessive lighting emanating from wireless devices can also createdisruption in dark environments. While it is well known that excessiveor bright lighting in a movie theater can spoil the mood of certainmovies, excessive lighting can also become a more serious issue in othercontexts. For example, darkrooms used to develop film can only toleratevery low amounts of ambient lighting. Some biological labs also requirelow levels of lighting in certain instances (for example, as in thegrowth of light-sensitive bacteria). Covert police or governmentoperations may require complete “blackout” conditions. A person's sleepcan even be interrupted by a bright flashing or modulating display (suchas to indicate an incoming call).

Myriad other situations exist where the audible and/or visual ringing,alarm or alert functions of a wireless device are undesirable or evendeleterious to the device owner or others.

Moreover, in certain situations, the communications capability that thewireless device accords to its user may be what poses the threat. Forexample, it is presently believed that drivers of automobiles are morelikely to get into an automobile accident when they are distracted by acall on their cellular phone. Moreover, the communications functionalityof wireless devices in airplanes and hospitals is presently believed tointerfere with control equipment and instrumentation due to radiatedelectromagnetic energy, thereby jeopardizing the lives and safety ofothers.

Wireless devices therefore can create problems with excessive emanationsof sound and light, and also by posing safety issues to others viaelectromagnetic radiation from their antenna. However, these are not theonly problems presented by wireless devices. For example, a wirelesscamera hidden in an area or brought in by another individual (e.g., acellular phone camera) where privacy is normally reasonably expectedsuch as a department store changing room, bathroom or locker room is oneexample of a significant threat to such privacy. Additionally, thewireless transmission of sensitive information to a remote source is oneexample of a threat to security. This sensitive information could beanything from classified government information to questions or answersto an examination administered in an academic setting.

Unfortunately, the prior art does not effectively address the foregoingvarious problems associated with wireless devices, nor ways to mitigatetheir effects. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,107,349 to Britt, Jr. issuedSep. 12, 2006 and entitled, “System and method for disabling andproviding a notification for a data processing device” discloses amethod for disabling a wireless data processing device. This methodcomprises: receiving an indication from a user that the data processingdevice is missing, and responsively transmitting a disable command tothe data processing device, the disable command disabling the dataprocessing device using a first disabling technique.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,080,405 to Himmel et al. issued Jul. 18, 2006 andentitled, “Limiting device function” discloses a system, method andcomputer program product that sends wireless control messages toelectronic devices, such as audio and video recorders, cameras, radios,televisions, mobile phones, portable or handheld computers and personaldigital assistants that have come within an environment or that are inan environment that changes. In such an environment, a wireless receiverin the mobile electronic device receives the control messages. In ahardware implementation, electronic gates are set to disable the one ormore features of the device. In a software implementation, current powerstatus flags are set in a memory device within the mobile electronicdevice to a reduced power setting. Outside the environment, theelectronic gates or power status flags revert to full power. The devicedriver for each feature of the mobile electronic device will reject I/Ooperations inconsistent with the current power status flags for thatfeature.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,006,793 to Himmel et al. issued Feb. 28, 2006 andentitled, “Safe use of electronic devices in an automobile” discloses amethod and computer program product for operating a mobile electronicdevice having a wireless transceiver within an automobile having anon-board computer. The method includes: receiving a wireless informationmessage from the mobile electronic device within the automobile to theon-board computer, establishing a wireless communication link betweenthe on-board computer and the mobile electronic device; communicatinginstructions from the on-board computer to the mobile electronic deviceto disable a one or more features within the mobile electronic device;and then communicating reconfiguration instructions from the on-boardcomputer to the mobile electronic device, whereby the mobile electronicdevice reconfigures itself to become a slave device to the on-boardcomputer. The motorist may then utilize the mobile electronic devicethrough the input and output devices of the on-board computer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,888 to Weng issued Jan. 10, 2006 and entitled,“Portable wireless anti-theft USB disc” discloses a portable wirelessanti-theft flash memory having a body proper in which there are a flashmemory, a high frequency receiver circuit, and a monode switch to gowith a cap, in which are a high frequency transmitter, an encodingcircuit, and a counter, for casing the body proper. Connecting the bodyproper to a computing device enables high frequency transmitting,receiving, and turning on flash memory firewall. When the transmittingsource is a distance away, the firewall becomes engaged thus disablingthe flash memory to prevent loss of data from theft for safety purpose.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,897,762 to Howells issued May 24, 2005 and entitled,“Vehicle immobilization system” discloses an immobilization system for avehicle which will assist in law enforcement. The system includes afirst remote control device, which transmits a predetermined wirelesscontrol signal, and a second remote control device, which includes afirst directional antenna for transmitting a selectable wireless controlsignal in a first direction and a second directional antenna fortransmitting a wireless enable signal in a second direction. The secondremote control device includes an externally operable device forselecting the wireless control signal and the enable signal to betransmitted. A receiver is included for receiving the control signal andthe enable signal with the predetermined control signal beingsubstantially unique to the receiver. A device for disabling a vehicleby police, in response to either the predetermined control signal or theselectable control signal, is provided for allowing capture of thoseassailants seeking to escape by use of a motor vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,552 to Martin issued Jan. 4, 2005 and entitled,“System and method for reporting an emergency situation” discloses asystem and method for reporting an emergency situation to a called partya using a wireless device. The wireless device comprises a keyboard anda microprocessor. In one embodiment, when a specific keystroke sequenceis entered using the keyboard, the wireless device performs thefollowing tasks: disabling one or more components of the wirelessdevice; establishing a wireless communication session with the calledparty; communicating with a location system to generate locationinformation pinpointing the location of the wireless device; andproviding the location information to the called party. In otherembodiments, the wire device performs additional tasks, including:capturing content during the wireless communication; communicating withthe location system to generate subsequent location information; andproviding one or more of the subsequent location information and thecontent to the called party. The called party may then use the locationinformation and the content to perform one or more actions, includingproviding help to the user of the wireless device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,199 to Gough issued Nov. 23, 2004 and entitled,“System and method for controlling a wireless device notification alert”discloses wireless device audible alert control signal generatingsystems and methods. The control signal may be used to either enable ordisable the audible alert of a wireless device. The signal may begenerated as a function of the motion of an object entering or exiting aquiet zone. An embodiment for a system in accordance with the inventionincludes a transmitter to transmit a control signal to either disable orenable an audible alert of a wireless device. An antenna may beoperatively coupled to the transmitter. A motion sensor to detectobjects passing through a field of detection may be used to trigger theemission of the control signal. A controller operatively coupled to boththe motion sensor and transmitter may command the transmitter totransmit the control signal as a function of a direction of motiondetected by the motion sensor. An embodiment for a method in accordancewith this invention includes detecting an object in an object detectionarea. A direction of motion of the object with respect to a referencepoint may be determined. A wireless device audible alert control signalmay then be generated as a function of the direction of motion of theobject.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,753,842 to Williams et al. issued Jun. 22, 2004 andentitled, “System and method for backlighting control in a wirelesscommunication device” discloses a wireless communication device thatincludes a display having a backlight. A backlight controllerselectively enables the backlight to minimize power consumption andconserve energy in a battery. In one embodiment, a receiver receives atime-of-day message from a remote location to set a timer with thecurrent time-of-day. The current time-of-day is compared with apredetermined time-of-day and the backlight controller enables anddisables the backlight at predetermined times-of-day. The wirelesscommunication device may also include a GPS receiver, to determine thelocation of the device. The backlight controller can determine thesunrise or sunset times for the specific location. The GPS data may beused in combination with the time-of-day message. A photosensor candetect ambient light levels and generate an electrical signalcorresponding thereto. The backlight controller may use the photosensorto determine ambient light levels and to enable or disable the backlightbased only on ambient light levels. The photosensor signal can be usedin combination with the time-of-day message and/or the location datafrom the GPS receiver to control the backlight.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,940 to Brown et al. issued Feb. 10, 2004 andentitled, “System for selective prevention of non-emergency use of anelectronic device” discloses a system for selectively disabling use ofat least selected features of a stand-alone electronic device under apredetermined set of conditions. The system establishes a state of theset of conditions as being satisfied or unsatisfied, communicates thestate to the electronic device, and disables the selected features ifthe state is satisfied. In one embodiment, the system may beadvantageously be used to prevent vehicular accidents by at leastpartially disabling non-emergency use of a wireless telephone in amoving vehicle. In another embodiment, the system may be used to disablefeatures of an electronic device within a predetermined area having aboundary that is independent of a communications network cell.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,888 to Bishop issued Dec. 16, 2003 and entitled,“Method and apparatus for enabling and disabling certain functions of anautomobile” discloses an apparatus and method designed for use with avehicle that remotely activates an audio warning device prior todisabling the ability for the driver to start the vehicle. The apparatusis installed in the vehicle and includes a special pager receiver thatdecodes paging messages sent from a paging transmitter site. The pagerreceiver is electrically connected to a controller which interprets thecoded message. An in-vehicle digital radio transmitter then sends awireless transmission to digital radio receivers installed in thevehicle. Each digital radio receiver is incorporated in a package thatincludes an electrical connection to an electromagnetic relay. The relayis plugged into the electrical circuits of the vehicle which activatecertain devices or functions, such as the starter motor, ignitionsystem, power door locks, headlamps, horn, and other system that may useelectrical relays. The digital radio receivers decode the transmissionsfrom the in-vehicle transmitter and decide whether to open or closetheir respective relays, thus disabling or enabling certain devices orfunctions in the vehicle. The invention finds applicability for use bylender institutions in order to disable vehicles when the owner has notkept his account current.

Other prior art approaches (including prior generation laptop computersmanufactured by the Assignee hereof) include the capability to displaythe status of a wireless access point or station (e.g., WiFi “AP” or“STA”, respectively). However, such capability provided no control ofthe wireless device, in that it could only provide for the display ofstatus information.

Despite the foregoing variety of different approaches to wireless devicecontrol, none satisfies the salient need of providing an apparatus andmethods of automatically disabling, replacing, or modifying thefunctionality of a wireless device upon the occurrence of a certaincondition, such as for instance entering a particular location or venue.Ideally, such apparatus and methods would in one aspect allow certaindesignated zones or areas to enforce policies regarding wireless deviceoperation, and be protected from externalities such as ringing oralarms, display functions, etc. associated with the wireless device.This would also ideally prevent or frustrate the use of wireless devicesfor inappropriate purposes.

Moreover, such apparatus and methods would also ideally not requiresignificant infrastructure changes or upgrades for implementation.

SUMMARY

The present invention satisfies the foregoing needs by providing, interalia, methods and apparatus for changing the functionality and/orconfiguration available in a wireless device, such as upon theoccurrence of a certain condition or event.

In a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the apparatus comprises: a first module adapted to detectthat a wireless device comprising a first set of functions is within afirst range; and a second module adapted to cause at least one of thefirst set of functions to be modified based at least in part upon thefirst module detecting that the wireless device is within the firstrange.

In one variant, the wireless device comprises a cellular-enabled mobiledevice having a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface, and the apparatus iscontained substantially within the mobile device. The first set offunctions comprises e.g., an audible ringer functionality, and whereinthe modification comprises suppressing or muting the audible ringerfunctionality.

In another variant, the first set of functions comprises a firstlighting configuration having a first intensity associated therewith,and the modification comprises a second lighting configuration having asecond intensity associated therewith, the second intensity being lessthan the first intensity. The second lighting configuration may comprisein one variant a different number e.g., fewer selectable settings thanthe first lighting configuration.

In yet another variant, the first set of functions comprises Bluetoothinquiry and pairing functions, and wherein the modification comprisesdisabling at least one of the inquiry and pairing functions.

Alternatively, the first set of functions comprises a first powersetting, and wherein the modification comprises a second power setting,the second setting consuming less electrical power than the firstsetting.

As yet another alternative, the first set of functions comprises a firstsecurity policy, and wherein the modification comprises a secondsecurity policy that imposes higher security requirements than the firstpolicy. For example, the second access policy might comprise at least:an authentication requirement; a password requirement; and an encryptionrequirement.

In another variant, the first set of functions does not require that thewireless device remain in sleep mode, and wherein the modificationrequires that the wireless device: (i) enter and remain in sleep modewhile within the first range; or (ii) remain in sleep mode while withinthe first range if already in the sleep mode when first entering withinthe first range.

In still a further variant, the first module is adapted to detect thatthe wireless device is within the first range using at least globalpositioning system (GPS) signals.

Alternatively, the first module is adapted to detect that the wirelessdevice is within the first range using at least triangulation based ontwo or more radio frequency signals.

As yet another alternative, the first module is adapted to detect thatthe wireless device is within the first range based on association orattempted association of the wireless device with a base station oraccess point.

In another variant, the wireless device comprises a cellular-enabledmobile device having a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface, and the apparatuscomprises a base station or access point (AP) also having a WLANinterface capable of communicating with the WLAN interface of the mobiledevice.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of operating a wirelessnetwork having at least one access point is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the method comprises: providing at least one operationalpolicy for the at least one access point; enforcing the at least onepolicy for a user wireless device when the device is associated with theaccess point, the enforcing comprising defeating user control of atleast one component of the wireless device controlled by the at leastone policy; and not enforcing the at least one policy for the wirelessdevice when the device is not associated with the access point.

In one variant, the network comprises an IEEE-Std. 802.11 compliantwireless network, and the at least one access point comprises an 802.11Access Point (AP), and the act of providing at least one policycomprises setting a policy which controls an audio subsystem of the userwireless device. For example, the user wireless device may comprise amobile device (e.g., handset), and the control of the audio subsystemcomprises suppressing or muting an audible ringer.

In another variant, the act of providing at least one policy comprisessetting a policy which enforces a certain behavior in a securitysubsystem of the user wireless device. The behavior comprises forexample utilizing at least one of a prescribed: (i) encryption scheme;(ii) authentication scheme; and (iii) message data integrity scheme.

In yet another variant, the act of providing at least one policycomprises setting a policy which enforces a certain behavior in adisplay subsystem of the wireless device; e.g., adjusting at least oneof the: (i) brightness; and (ii) intensity, of a display of the device.

In still a further variant, the wireless network comprises an IEEE-Std.802.11 compliant wireless network, and the method further comprisesdetermining, via at least the access point, whether to selectivelyenforce the at least one policy against the user wireless device.

In another variant, the wireless network comprises an IEEE-Std. 802.11compliant wireless network, and the method further comprisesdetermining, via at least the user wireless device, whether toselectively enforce the at least one policy against the user wirelessdevice.

Alternatively, the method further comprises providing a user of the userwireless device at least one opportunity of accepting or rejectingassociation with the access point before the association is created andthe at least one policy enforced; e.g., generating a display on thewireless device indicating the at least one policy associated with theat least one access point. The at least one access point may comprise aplurality of policies, and the generating a display may comprise forexample generating distinct icons or graphical images for each of theplurality of policies of the at least one access point.

In another variant, the method further comprises configuring the userwireless device so as to implement a user-specific policy; e.g.,determining whether or not to associate with the at least one accesspoint based at least in part on the at least one operational policy.

In yet a further variant, the at least one access point comprises aplurality of wireless interfaces, each having independent policyfunctions.

Alternatively, the defeating user control of at least one component ofthe wireless device controlled by the at least one policy comprisesblocking or disabling user control of at least one of: (i) an audio oraudible function of the wireless device; or (ii) a display function ofthe wireless device.

In a third aspect of the invention, a method of operating a wirelessnetwork having an access point and at least one wireless mobile devicehaving a wireless interface adapted to communicate with the access pointis disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: providing atleast one operational policy for the access point, the at least oneoperational policy not being associated with the operation of thewireless interface; enforcing the at least one policy for the wirelessmobile device when the device is associated with the access point; andnot enforcing the at least one policy for the wireless mobile devicewhen the device is not associated with the access point.

In another embodiment, the method comprises: providing at least oneoperational policy for the access point; determining a user-based policyfor association between the user wireless device and the access point;evaluating the at least one operational policy and the user-based policyto determine if the association is permitted; and if the evaluatingindicates that the association is permitted: creating the association;and enforcing the at least one policy for the user wireless device whenthe device is associated with the access point.

In one variant, the method further comprises transmitting a commandcausing wake-up of the wireless mobile device from a sleep or reducedpower mode so as to facilitate the determining the user-based policy.The access point may determine whether the wireless mobile device is inthe sleep or reduced power mode before the act of transmitting.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, network apparatus adapted forcommunication with at least one mobile user is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the apparatus comprises: first apparatus adapted to providea wireless interface with a mobile device of the at least one user; andsecond apparatus in data communication with the first apparatus andadapted to run a computer program, the computer program adapted toenforce one or more policies with respect to the mobile device duringoperation thereof and communication with the network apparatus.

In one variant, the network apparatus comprises a gateway or accesspoint providing data communication to another network, and the wirelessinterface comprises an air interface compliant with IEEE-Std. 802.11.

In another variant, the one or more policies comprises a policy thatsubstantially mutes or reduces the volume of an audible sound that wouldotherwise be generated by the mobile device.

Alternatively, the one or more policies comprises a policy thatsubstantially reduces at least one of the brightness and intensity of adisplay device of the mobile device.

As yet another alternative, the one or more policies comprises a policythat substantially prevents at least one mode of communication betweenthe mobile device and another proximate mobile device.

As still a further alternative, the one or more policies comprises apolicy that substantially prevents at least one mode of communicationbetween the mobile device and a radio frequency transceiver distinctfrom that associated with the wireless interface; e.g., a cellular basestation transceiver. In another variant, the radio frequency transceivercomprises a Bluetooth transceiver, and the substantially preventing atleast one mode of communication comprises preventing at least one ofBluetooth inquiry or pairing.

Alternatively, substantially preventing at least one mode ofcommunication comprises preventing only incoming or receivedcommunications, but allowing outgoing communications over the radiofrequency transceiver.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a wireless device is disclosed. Inone embodiment, the device comprises: a first module adapted to receivea signal from a transmitting device, the signal comprising at least onecommand adapted to invoke changes in a plurality of functions of thewireless device, the plurality of functions selected from the groupconsisting of: (i) a display function; (ii) an audible alert or alarmfunction; (iii) a power conservation mode; and (iv) a communicationsinterface mode; and a second module adapted to process the at least onecommand to change the plurality of functions of the wireless device.

In one variant, the device further comprises logic adapted to determinewhether a user of the wireless device has agreed to invoke the changesbefore the command is processed by the second module.

In another variant, the device further comprises logic adapted totransmit information relating to whether a user of the wireless devicehas agreed to invoke the changes to a wireless base station or accesspoint in communication with the wireless device.

In another embodiment, the wireless device comprises: a first moduleadapted to detect an available wireless access point; a second moduleadapted to receive one or more policies from a detected access point; athird module adapted to display an indication relating to the one ormore policies to a user; a fourth module adapted to receive a user inputindicating that the user agrees to the one or more policies; a fifthmodule adapted to connect the wireless device to the detected accesspoint if the user agrees to the policies; and a sixth module adapted toenforce the one or more policies on the wireless device during aconnection with the access point.

In one variant, the one or more policies comprise a policy relating toaudible ringer functionality.

In a second variant, the one or more of policies comprise a policyrelating to the amount of visible light the wireless device may emanate.

In yet another variant, the one or more policies comprise a policyrelating to the type of content accessible over a network.

In a further variant, the one or more policies comprise a policyrelating to communications with other wireless devices.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, a method of doing business isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: providing a wirelessaccess portal in a location, the portal enabling data communicationbetween at least one wireless portable device and a network entity indata communication with the portal; and providing via the portal, inexchange for consideration, operational policy enforcement for awireless portable device of a user when the wireless portable device isin communication with the portal.

In one variant, the consideration is provided by the user as part of aservice subscription.

In another variant, the consideration is provided pursuant to a wirelesscredit or debit transaction between the user and a service provider. Forexample, the wireless credit or debit transaction between the user and aservice provider is conducted substantially over the portal.Alternatively, the wireless credit or debit transaction between the userand a service provider is conducted over a cellular link establishedbetween the wireless device and a network entity in data communicationwith the cellular link.

In another variant, the consideration is provided by the user to anowner of the portal.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, a computer readable apparatus isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a storage medium,the medium adapted to store at least one computer program, the at leastone program comprising a plurality of instructions which, when executed:receive information regarding an association between a wireless accesspoint and a mobile device; evaluate the received information todetermine whether a one or more operational policies should be appliedto the mobile device; and cause the transmission of information to themobile device to cause the mobile device to invoke the one or moreoperational policies on the mobile device while the association exists.

In one variant, the at least one computer program is further configuredto perform at least one of the following if the evaluation determinesthat the one or more policies should not be applied to the mobiledevice: (i) prevent the association from being formed; or (ii) terminatethe association if the association has already been formed.

In another variant, the information comprises information indicatingwhether a user of the mobile device agrees to the one or more policiesbeing enforced on the mobile device. For example, the apparatus maycomprise a storage device that is part of a wireless base station oraccess point (AP) compliant with a WiFi standard, and the transmissioncomprises using a beacon signal generated by the base station or AP totransmit the information that causes the invocation of the one or morepolicies. The information may comprise e.g., one or more commandsdisposed within a vendor-specific element of the beacon signal.

Alternatively, the at least one computer program is further configuredto cause transmission of information relating to the one or morepolicies to the mobile device before the evaluation is conducted, theinformation relating to for example the one or more policies comprisesinformation which causes one or more graphical display elements to begenerated on a display of the mobile device, the one or more displayelements being uniquely correlated to respective ones of the one or moreoperational policies.

In an eighth aspect of the invention, a method of suppressing wirelesscommunications from a mobile wireless device within a given area using awireless base station, the method comprising using the base station tocommunicate with the mobile device, the communication comprising atleast one command causing the mobile device to disable or suppresscommunications over the base station or other communication channelsavailable to the mobile device while the mobile device is within thegiven area.

In one variant, the method further comprises determining when the mobiledevice is within the given area based at least in part on the mobiledevice attempting to or actually associating with the base station.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will immediatelybe recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference tothe attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodimentsas given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of asystem architecture capable of enforcing one or more policies on amobile device according to the invention.

FIG. 1a is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the systemarchitecture of the invention, wherein device location or rangeinformation is utilized.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary triangulationprocess useful with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary architecture forenforcing a policy on a wireless device from a mobile access point (AP).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the components of an exemplaryembodiment of a wireless device capable of GPS positioning in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a mobile deviceaccess point (AP) in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary mobile devicegraphical user interface (GUI) useful with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of thegraphical user interface.

FIG. 8 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a first embodiment of themethod of controlling a wireless device in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a second embodiment of themethod of controlling a wireless device in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a third embodiment of themethod of controlling a wireless device in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

As used herein, the term “access point” or “AP” refers generally andwithout limitation to a network access point (e.g., such as a gateway orrouter) which allows access for one device to one or more othernetworks. For example, one type of access point might comprise anEthernet router. Another type of access point might comprise an IEEEStd. 802.11 WiFi AP. These terms should in no way be construed as to belimiting to a particular network standard, protocol, or topology.

As used herein, the term “application” refers generally to a unit ofexecutable software that implements a certain functionality or theme.The themes of applications vary broadly across any number of disciplinesand functions (such as on-demand content management, e-commercetransactions, brokerage transactions, home entertainment, calculatoretc.), and one application may have more than one theme. The unit ofexecutable software generally runs in a predetermined environment; forexample, the unit could comprise a downloadable Java Xlet™ that runswithin the Java™ or J2ME environment.

As used herein, the term “association” refers generally and withoutlimitation to a relationship formed or maintained for at least a periodof time between two or more devices or processes for the purpose ofaccomplishing a function such as data transfer, communication, or securetunneling. For example, one such association comprises the associationformed between a station (STA) and an access point (AP) within thecontext of IEEE Std. 802.11 (1999 Edition) entitled “Part 11: WirelessLAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications”, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, including inter alia associations, disassociations,reassociations, authentications, and deauthentications as described inChapter 5 of the foregoing Standard. Another example of an associationmay comprise a Bluetooth Master/Slave pairing or bonding of the type setforth in “Specification of the Bluetooth System—Wireless connectionsmade easy—Master Table of Contents & Compliance, Requirements—CoveredCore Package version: 1.2” issued 5 Nov. 2003, which is alsoincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Yet another example ofan association comprises a security-based association comprising e.g.,authentication, identification, and/or encryption/integrity key exchangeprocedures of the type well known in the computer networking arts.

As used herein, the term “capacity” refers to, without limitation, theability of a network, portion of a communication channel, network, orcomponent thereof (whether individually or in concert) to provide arequested or needed service, act, or level of performance. One commonlyused metric of capacity is so-called “bandwidth”, roughly akin to thesize of the channel or “pipe” capable of carrying content or otherinformation. However, capacity limitations may be imposed by any numberof factors, such as errors or delays imposed by transmission, filtering,transcoding, encryption/decryption, and so forth.

As used herein, the term “cellular” refers without limitation to anywireless telecommunications (and/or data) apparatus or system providingmultiple user access including for example those of the 2G, 2.5G, 3G, orAMPS families. Well known cellular standards and technologies includee.g., UMTS, GSM, 3GPP/WCDMA, 3GPP2 (CDMA2000), IS-95, IS-136, IS-54,NAMPS, and PCS-1900.

As used herein, the term “computer program” or “software” is meant toinclude any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps which performa function. Such program may be rendered in virtually any programminglanguage or environment including, for example, C/C++, Fortran, COBOL,PASCAL, assembly language, markup languages (e.g., HTML, SGML, XML,VoXML), and the like, as well as object-oriented environments such asthe Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Java™ (includingJ2ME, Java Beans, etc.), Binary Runtime Environment (BREW), and thelike.

As used herein, the term “display” means any type of device adapted todisplay information, including without limitation: CRTs, LCDs, TFTs,plasma displays, LEDs, incandescent and fluorescent devices. Displaydevices may also include less dynamic devices such as, for example,printers, e-ink devices, and the like.

As used herein, the term “integrated circuit (IC)” refers to any type ofdevice having any level of integration (including without limitationULSI, VLSI, and LSI) and irrespective of process or base materials(including, without limitation Si, SiGe, CMOS and GaAs). ICs mayinclude, for example, memory devices (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, DDRAM,EEPROM/Flash, ROM), digital processors, SoC devices, FPGAs, ASICs, ADCs,DACs, transceivers, memory controllers, and other devices, as well asany combinations thereof.

As used herein, the terms “Internet” and “internet” are usedinterchangeably to refer to inter-networks including, withoutlimitation, the Internet.

As used herein, the term “memory” includes any type of integratedcircuit or other storage device adapted for storing digital dataincluding, without limitation, ROM. PROM, EEPROM, DRAM, SDRAM, DDR/2SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SRAM, “flash” memory (e.g., NAND/NOR), andPSRAM.

As used herein, the term “metadata” comprises without limitation extradata not typically found in typical primary content (or at least notvisible or audible to the users of the network). This metadata can beprovided with the content from its source or provider, or alternativelyadded by the transmission device (e.g., cellular telephone or basestation) or the network operator. Metadata is typically packaged in aprescribed format (e.g., XML) and may optionally be made human-readable.Alternatively, non-human readable data can be used, such as where themetadata is encoded in hexadecimal or binary, or any other number ofdifferent coding schemes.

As used herein, the terms “microprocessor” and “digital processor” aremeant generally to include all types of digital processing devicesincluding, without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reducedinstruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors,microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable computefabrics (RCFs), array processors, secure microprocessors, andapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digitalprocessors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or distributedacross multiple components.

As used herein, the terms “mobile device” and “end user device” include,but are not limited to, set-top boxes (e.g., DSTBs), personal computers(PCs), and minicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, or otherwise, andmobile devices such as handheld computers, PDAs, personal media devices(PMDs) such as the exemplary iPod™ media device manufactured by theAssignee hereof, and smartphones such as the exemplary iPhone™multi-function media and telephony device manufactured by the Assigneehereof.

As used herein, the terms “network” and “bearer network” refer generallyto any type of data, telecommunications or other network including,without limitation, data networks (including MANs, PANs, WANs, LANs,WLANs, micronets, piconets, internets, and intranets), hybrid fiber coax(HFC) networks, satellite networks, cellular networks, and telconetworks. Such networks or portions thereof may utilize any one or moredifferent topologies (e.g., ring, bus, star, loop, etc.), transmissionmedia (e.g., wired/RF cable, RF wireless, millimeter wave, optical,etc.) and/or communications or networking protocols and standards (e.g.,SONET, DOCSIS, IEEE Std. 802.3, 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, 802.20, ATM,X.25, Frame Relay, 3GPP, 3GPP2, WAP, SIP, UDP, FTP, RTP/RTCP, H.323,etc.).

As used herein, the terms “network agent” and “network entity” refers toany network entity (whether software, firmware, and/or hardware based)adapted to perform one or more specific purposes. For example, a networkagent or entity may comprise a computer program running in serverbelonging to a network operator, which is in communication with one ormore processes on a CPE or other device.

As used herein, the term “network interface” refers to any signal, data,or software interface with a component, network or process including,without limitation, those of the Firewire (e.g., FW400, FW800, etc.),USB (e.g., USB2), Ethernet (e.g., 10/100, 10/100/1000 (GigabitEthernet), 10-Gig-E, etc.), MoCA, Serial ATA (e.g., SATA, e-SATA,SATAII), Ultra-ATA/DMA, Coaxsys (e.g., TVnet™), radio frequency tuner(e.g., in-band or OOB, cable modem, etc.), WiFi (802.11a, b, g, n,etc.), WiMAX (802.16), PAN (802.15), Bluetooth, or IrDA families.

As used herein, the term “storage device” refers to without limitationcomputer hard drives, DVR device, memory, RAID devices or arrays,optical media (e.g., CD-ROMs, Laserdiscs, Blu-Ray, etc.), or any otherdevices or media capable of storing content or other information.

As used herein, the term “user interface” refers to, without limitation,any visual, graphical, tactile, audible, sensory, or other means ofproviding information to and/or receiving information from a user orother entity.

As used herein, the term “WiFi” refers to, without limitation, any ofthe variants of IEEE-Std. 802.11 or related standards including 802.11a/b/e/g/n.

As used herein, the term “wireless” means any wireless signal, data,communication, or other interface including without limitation WiFi,Bluetooth, 3G, HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA, CDMA (e.g., IS-95A, WCDMA, CDMA2000,etc.), FHSS, DSSS, GSM, PAN/802.15, WiMAX (802.16), Mobile BroadbandWireless Access or MWBA (802.20), narrowband/FDMA, OFDM, PCS/DCS, analogcellular, CDPD, satellite systems, millimeter wave or microwave systems,acoustic, and infrared (i.e., IrDA).

Overview

One salient aspect of the present invention relates to selectivelydeactivating or modifying wireless communication protocols (for example,cellular telephony communications, WiFi or WiMAX communications, and/orBluetooth functionality) and/or other operational functions (e.g.,audible ringers, display functions, security functions, etc.) associatedwith a mobile device.

In some embodiments, the location of the mobile device serves as atrigger to changing its functional or operational settings. In oneexemplary variant, the “location” of the mobile device is determinedrelative to its associated base station or access point; i.e., byassociating with a given base station, at least the location of themobile device relative to the base station is known to some degree ofaccuracy. If the absolute location of the base station is known, theabsolute location of the mobile device is also generally known, allwithout requiring the mobile device to carry global positioning system(GPS) or other position locating apparatus.

In certain other variants, GPS or other such external signals are usedto determine the location of the portable electronic device.Alternatively, cellular tower or WiFi base station triangulation is usedto determine the mobile device's location.

When the “trigger” criteria are met, the mobile device is instructed toimplement the desired functional and/or operational changes(“policies”), such as via a communication from the base station to themobile device. In one variant, IEEE-Std. 802.11 WiFi broadcasts orbeacons incorporate designated policy enforcement commands. Once theuser leaves the access point or the trigger criteria are no longer met,the device is automatically restored to its previous mode (or a defaultor secondary mode).

The user of the mobile device may also be required or given theopportunity to “opt in” for one or more policies being enforced by thebase station, the assent to which may be used as a precondition forforming a wireless association or security association with the basestation, or maintaining an existing one.

In one embodiment of the invention, the access point (AP) or basestation contains all of the intelligence via e.g., a policy controlleror resident computer program, necessary to implement the policies ofthat AP/base station on one or more associated mobile devices. Extantcommunication protocols (including for example the aforementioned WiFibeacon function) are used to communicate commands from the AP or basestation to the mobile device(s). These commands may vendor-specific innature (e.g., one manufacturer's phone may require a certain format orprotocol to enforce certain policies, while another manufacturer'sdevice requires a different command or protocol to enforce the samepolicies).

In another embodiment, the AP or base station cooperates with a clientprogram or module on the mobile device (e.g., policy client application)which assists in selecting and enforcing policies on the mobile device,some of which may be user-specified.

The present invention advantageously lends itself to numerous differentapplications and uses, including for example in movie theaters,enterprise applications (e.g., business meetings, or to secure sensitivedata), academic settings (e.g., lectures or exams, so as to preventinterruptions and also surreptitious communications or “cheating”), homeor residence environments, or even in automobiles (e.g., preventnon-hands free use of cellular telephones when a user is sitting intheir car and it is moving). Moreover, the invention lends itself tomany different business paradigms and methods.

Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described indetail. It will be appreciated that while these exemplary embodimentsare described primarily in the context of a WiFi (i.e., IEEE Std.802.11) air interface and protocol, this context is merely illustrative,and the invention is in no way so limited to WiFi applications (or anyother air interface or specification). For example, the invention may bereadily practiced within the context of a PAN (e.g., 802.15), WiMAX(802.16), MWBA (802.20), or even cellular (e.g., 3G) network.

It will also be appreciated that while described in the context ofwireless devices, the present invention may be used in conjunction withwired data scenarios; e.g., a user plugging an Ethernet cable from theirmobile laptop computer into a hub or router in a school library orcorporate meeting room for example.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods forenforcing one or more policies upon a wireless (or wired) device duringor after the occurrence of a certain condition or event. In a first setof variants described below, the condition relates to the position orlocation of the device relative to one or more reference points. In someembodiments, these reference points are stationary, while in otherembodiments, the reference points are mobile.

In other variants, the event causing the imposition of one or morepolicies is temporal in nature; i.e., after a certain amount of timepasses, or a certain chronological coordinate (e.g., 2:00 pm PST on Feb.14, 2008) is reached. This type of approach may be tied to theaforementioned location-based variants (i.e., where both chronologicaland position requirements are met), or operate completely independentthereof (i.e., irrespective of location or even association with a givenAP or base station, such as in a corporate-wide disablement of Internetor data access privileges, campus-wide disablement of communicationprivileges during final exams, or the like).

In yet other variants, the imposition of one or more policies may bevoluntary (e.g., by a user affirmatively entering a command or selectingacceptance of a policy without prompting), irrespective of whether thedevice is currently in association with a wireless access point or basestation.

Various other approaches will be recognized by those of ordinary skillgiven the present disclosure; the following exemplary embodiments beingmerely illustrative of the broader aspects of the invention.

System Architectures

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the architecture forenforcing one or more policies on a mobile device is disclosed. In thisembodiment, the mobile device 100 is associated with a base station orAP 106. The wireless device 100 may be any device comprising at leastone air interface. These interfaces include one or combinations of WiFi(variants of IEEE 802.11 standard), Bluetooth, Ultra-wideband (UWB),WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 standard), wireless PAN (e.g., UEEE 802.15 standard),Wibree (Bluetooth digital radio), mobile broadband wireless access(Mobile-Fi or 802.20), and cellular interfaces (e.g., 3G/UMTS) forexample.

Policy is enforced by the base station 106 on the mobile device 100purely by virtue of the association; no ranging data or determination ismade. The “range” of policy enforcement 102 illustrated is only byvirtue of the physical capabilities of the air interface (e.g., WiFilink) between the mobile device 100 and the base station 106, which asis well known may vary as a function of radiated power, geographicaltopography, presence of structures, Rayleigh fading or other multipathartifacts, level of ambient interference, etc. Stated simply, any mobiledevice 100 that can communicate sufficiently with the base station (andvice versa) will have the policies of that base station enforced upon it(assuming any other relevant criteria are met).

It will also be appreciated that, as discussed in greater detail below,if a mobile device 100 does successfully associate with the base station106, and the location of the base station is known, then the location ofthe mobile device 100 is also then known (at least to the degree of thecommunications range 102 previously described). This approachadvantageously alleviates the mobile device from having to carry GPS(Global Positioning System) or other such positioning apparatus anddetermine its own position. However, it will be recognized that theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 need not derive any location orposition information to operate; the base station may merely enforcepolicy on any mobile device associating with it irrespective of thelocation of the base station or range to the mobile device.

FIG. 1a is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of thearchitecture for enforcing a policy upon a wireless device which hasentered the range designated for the policy. Note that while theembodiment depicted by FIG. 1a utilizes GPS signaling, any form ofhandset- or network-based localization may be used in accordance withthe scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 1a , the wireless device 400comprises a GPS receiver 408 (depicted in FIG. 4 herein). The GPSreceiver enables the wireless device to communicate with one or more GPSsatellites 104 in order to determine the wireless device's presentlocation as is well known in the art.

In one variant, the wireless device 400 periodically transmits its GPScoordinates to the base station 200. The base station 200, upon receiptof said GPS coordinates and a wireless device identifier, analyzeswhether these coordinates are within the range of the designated policy102. It is noted that individual policies enforced on the mobile devicemay have different enforcement ranges; e.g., a first policy will only beenforced at radius R1, wherein a second policy is enforced at R2, and soforth.

If the GPS coordinates are within the designated range 102 for thatpolicy, the base station 200 sends a control signal or command to thewireless device 400 thereby setting the device's functionality accordingto the governing policy. In some embodiments, the base station 200 sendsa separate control signal to the wireless device 400 once the device'sGPS coordinates indicate that it is out of the designated range 102. Inthis manner, the prior settings of the wireless device 400 may berestored once it is no longer in the designated range 102. Otherapproaches for restoring prior wireless device configuration may also beused consistent with the invention, including for example the expiry ofa timer, the base station/AP shutting down, the loss of associationbetween the device and the base station (such as due to interference),etc.

It will also be recognized that both relative and absolute position orlocation approaches may be used consistent with the present inventionwhere such information is required. For example, one instance of arelative location approach comprises where the location of a mobiledevice is determined via its association with a given base station orAP, whose location may or may not be known. By virtue of suchassociation, one knows at minimum that the mobile device is within aprescribed range of the AP (otherwise the association could not exist).If the AP location is unknown or not in a fixed location, the foregoinginformation is none-the-less valid. However, if the absolute location ofthe AP is known (e.g., located at a given lat./long. or GPS coordinate),then the mobile device absolute location is also known (to at least thedegree of precision of the aforementioned prescribed range) aspreviously described.

Alternatively, the mobile device location may be determined in anabsolute sense irrespective of any association with an AP, or the AP'sposition. For example, the mobile device may carry a GPS receiver of thetype well known in the art as in the embodiment of FIG. 1a which cantell the mobile device (and user) their actual or absolute locationwithin the precision of the GPS system. Other external “fix” techniquescan be employed, including e.g., triangulation of two or more RF beaconsas is used in cellular triangulation, LORAN or similar navigationalaids, user input regarding proximity to a known location (e.g., “I am atthe corner or 5^(th) and Broadway in downtown San Diego, Calif.”). Yetother approaches will be recognized by those of ordinary skill.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary triangulationprocess useful with various embodiments of the present invention. As thefigure illustrates, the location of the wireless device 100 can bederived from knowing only: i) the distance or length 206 between twobase stations 200(1) and 200(2); ii) a first angle θ 202 formed from thewireless signal received at the first base station 200(1) and the pathof the length 206; and iii) a second angle φ 204 formed from thewireless signal received at the second base station 200(2) and the pathof the length 206. By utilizing the process of triangulation at the basestation 200 level, a wireless device can then be located without theneed for installing, for example, a GPS receiver 408 within the wirelessdevice 100. The base stations 200(1) and 200(2) may comprise for examplecellular base stations which generally have indigenous capability toresolve angles based on e.g., sectored antenna configurations, althoughother approaches may be used as well.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one architecture for enforcing apolicy on a wireless device from a mobile access point. According to theembodiment depicted by FIG. 3, the range of the first policy 302(1) isdefined as a perimeter or distance from the current position of themobile access point 300(1). Thus, the present set of policiescontrolling a given wireless device 100 can depend on the distance fromthe present position of the wireless device 100 to the present positionof the first mobile access point. 300(1). As FIG. 3 illustrates, the setof applicable policies change as the mobile access point 300(1) getscloser to or farther away from the wireless device 100.

In some embodiments, the wireless device 100 is mobile, just like theaccess point 300(1). However, the localization schemes described abovemay still be utilized in order to determine the policies applicable tothe wireless device 100. Instead of implementing a fixed boundary, or“fence” based upon absolute geographic coordinates, differences betweenthe coordinates of the wireless device 100 and the mobile access point300(1) are used in order to determine whether to implement a policy. Forexample, if the distance between devices is less than or equal to therange designated for the first policy 302(1), then the policy applies tothe wireless device 100. Conversely, if the wireless device is locatedat a farther distance than the maximum range of the policy 302(1), thepolicy will not apply.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, additional mobile access points 300(2)may be used to invoke additional policies 302(2) if the requisitecriteria (e.g., range) are met. Note that the mobile access points300(1) and 300(2) may also be moving relative to one another (and themobile device 100), such that the mobile device 100 may experiencephasing in and out of enforcement of different policies.

Mobile and Access Point Apparatus

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the components of an exemplarywireless device 400 capable of GPS communication (see FIG. 1a ) inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The antenna 402 is designed to emit and receive electromagnetic wavesaccording to a wireless or air interface standard. In one embodiment,the antenna 402 is adapted to communicate with a base station 200 whichprovides the wireless device 400 with access to a broader network (e.g.,the Internet). In many embodiments, the RF module 404 comprises atransceiver adapted to convert the electromagnetic waves to current andultimately digital data, and the data to current and then toelectromagnetic waves (as applicable). One or more Rx and/or Txamplifiers 408 may optionally be used to amplify signals fortransmission, as is well known in the art.

The exemplary wireless device 400 of FIG. 4 further comprises a centralprocessing unit (such as integrated circuit microprocessor 412 and/orDSP, discussed below) which is adapted to perform basic processingoperations of the wireless device 400. Memory 414 comprises one or morestorage devices capable of storing signals as bits of data. Memory 414may therefore comprise any combination of volatile memory ofnon-volatile memory in accordance with the scope of the presentinvention (for example, DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM,and/or myriad types of other memory modules).

The wireless device 400 can optionally comprise an audio controller 418and one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) 416 for audio, signal,image and/or video processing. A power source 410 such as a batteryprovides power to the various components of the wireless device 400.

In one embodiment, the microprocessor 416 is adapted execute one or moreprograms 420 stored in memory 414 which inter alia transmit GPScoordinates from the GPS receiver 408 to a remote base station 200 overa wireless interface. The microprocessor 416 is further adapted toexecute one or more programs 420 stored in memory 414, which, upondetecting a specific control signal, modify the functionality of thewireless device 400 according to the type of signal detected, oralternatively, by the contents of the signal provided (e.g., commandsembedded within a WiFi beacon as described elsewhere herein). In oneembodiment, once the wireless device's functionality has been changedaccording to a governing policy or multiple policies, the user of thewireless device cannot subsequently select the prior settings. Thedevice is accordingly disabled in this regard, thereby assuring that thepolicy or policies are not circumvented by the user.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of amobile access point (AP) in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. As FIG. 5 illustrates, the mobile access point 500comprises a microprocessor 506, a volatile memory source (such as RAM508), a non-volatile memory source (such as flash memory 510), a powersupply 504, and a network controller 512 comprising a set ofcommunications interfaces 514(1-n).

The microprocessor 506 is adapted to perform basic processing operationsof the mobile access point 500. Volatile and/or non-volatile memorysources (such as the RAM 508 and the flash memory 510) are adapted tostore signals as bits of data. The power supply 504 is adapted toprovide a source of power to the various components of the mobile accesspoint 500.

The network controller 512 facilitates communications with one or moreremote devices via the plurality of data/communications interfaces514(1-n). According to one embodiment, these remote devices supportwired and/or wireless network protocols (such as Ethernet, WiFi, WiMAX,MWBA, Bluetooth PAN or dialup profile, etc.).

A policy controller 516 comprises logic adapted to transmit one or morecontrol signals to connected wireless devices. In one embodiment, thepolicy controller 516 is resident on or housed within the networkcontroller 512. In a second embodiment, the policy controller 516 existsas a stand-alone circuit or logic board electrically coupled to theother components as required. In a third embodiment, the policycontroller 516 comprises one or more software modules resident in one ormore memory sources, such as the RAM 508 and/or the flash memory 510.

In one embodiment, the policy controller 516 comprises logic adapted tostore information pertaining to designated policies. For example, agiven policy may require muted ringers and reduced lighting when awireless device is determined to be in a certain zone. In someembodiments, the policy controller 516 comprises zone information (suchas an applicable range of GPS coordinates), the type of policy to beapplied, and/or the classes of users which are to be affected by thepolicy.

Also, in many embodiments, the policy controller 516 facilitates thetransfer of one or more control signals or commands to the wirelessdevice 100 for the purpose of applying a set of policies to one or morewireless devices 100. In one variant, the control signal comprises acommand disposed within the well-known “beacon” frame format of the802.11 WiFi Interface. This beacon frame format may comprise a pluralityof vendor-specific information or data elements which may be used toconvey policy information to the wireless device. It will be recognized,however, that other approaches for communicating with themobile/wireless devices 100 may be used consistent with the invention,including for example use of Bluetooth communications signals, orcellular forward/reverse traffic or control channels, etc. asapplicable.

In one variant, the vendor-specific command protocol is not known by theAP or base station; however, the AP/base station has a library ofdifferent commands for each of the different policies and mobile devicetypes it may encounter. The AP/base station then merely “shotguns” thevarious commands for the different device types (for the policy orpolicies it wishes to enforce) out over the vendor-specific field(s) ofthe WiFi beacon, with the expectation that one will be recognized andread by the mobile device, and subsequently executed. This approach hasthe advantage of requiring no indigenous software modifications (atleast for the signaling portion of the protocol) to the mobile devices,but rather only the AP or base station. If appropriate software controlsfor the display and audible ringer functions, etc. to be controlled bythe policy are present, no further modifications to the mobile deviceare required.

In another embodiment, both the mobile device and the AP/base stationcomprise software components in the form of a distributed application(DA) or client/server relationship. The two processes can communicatevia e.g., the aforementioned WiFi beacon (at least from AP to mobiledevice), with upstream or mobile-to-AP communications being accomplishedover another extant or even dedicated channel.

In another variant, the mobile device is configured to transmit relevantconfiguration information (e.g., manufacturer code, model number orcode, list of installed hardware or software, etc.) to the AP/basestation in order to tell that device specifically what configuration ofcommand is needed. This can be implicit (e.g., the AP takes the deviceconfiguration information received from the mobile device and enters adatabase or other source of information to determine a proper commandprotocol for the various subsystems of that particular device), orexplicit (e.g., where the mobile device explicitly instructs the AP whatprotocol to use, or even provides a communication properly formatted sothat the AP need only reply to that communication in order to invoke thedesired operational policies).

As yet another alternative, metadata may be included with one or morecontent elements (e.g., video streams or files) sent between the AP andthe mobile device in order to convey policy commands, especially thosewhich are media or content-specific. For instance, in one variant, oneor more policies are enforced against certain types of content sent orstreamed between the devices, such as to cause different treatment ofthat content by the mobile device (or AP). One such example is copyrightor DRM protection; the mobile device associated with a given AP may beforced to assent to DRM (e.g., “copy once”, etc.) implementation orrules before the content is streamed or enabled for playback on themobile device. Different codec or transcoding requirements, etc. canalso be transmitted via the metadata so that the AP can globally causecertain policies to be adopted for those mobile devices receiving thecontent.

Myriad other approaches to communication of commands between the twodevices will be recognized by those of ordinary skill given the presentdisclosure, and accordingly are not described further herein.

GUIs

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of agraphical user interface (GUI) that is useful with the presentinvention. A display 600 comprises a plurality of GUI elements 608. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 6, the GUI elements 608(1) and 602(2) bothcomprise windows or similar display segregation elements; however, itwill be appreciated that the GUI elements may alternatively comprise anycombination of windows, frames, display boxes, text fields, tables,tuples, or any other data representation in accordance with the scope ofthe present invention.

As shown by FIG. 6, the GUI element 608(1) comprises one or more accesspoint (AP) icons 602. Upon a user's selection of a specific icon (forexample, element 602(3) as shown in FIG. 6), a new GUI element isinstantiated (in this case, GUI element 608(2)). In some embodiments,the list of applicable policies related to the corresponding access 606point is displayed within the GUI Element 608(2). The list of APpolicies 606 thus visually informs the user of the terms and conditionsof associating his wireless device 100 with the selected access point(AP).

In other embodiments, one or more of the GUI elements 608 or the displaydevice in general also comprise a mechanism for detecting a user input.In this manner, the user can acknowledge, accept, or “opt-in” to thepolicies listed on the GUI element 608(2) by providing said input. Whilethe user acknowledgment 604 depicted by FIG. 6 comprises a single GUI“button”, this button is merely illustrative. Any means of inputdetection can be used in accordance with the scope of the presentinvention including without limitation, text fields, checkboxes,selectors, pop-up windows, dial controls, specific keyboard sequences,selectable icons, fixed function keys (FFKs), voice recognition input,and/or other means facilitating input to the mobile device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of agraphical user interface that is useful with the present invention. Justas in the embodiment of FIG. 6, a display 600 comprises a plurality ofGUI elements 708(1) and 708(2). However, the arrangement andorganization of the access point icons 602 is different in that a set ofaccess point policy icons 706 visually represent each access pointpolicy 606. For example, according to one embodiment, an “ear” icon(i.e., picture of an ear) represents a muted sound or ringer policy whenassociating with the access point, while the “eye” icon represents areduced lighting policy. Note that the actual icons used may be ofdifferent sizes, colors, shapes, and/or different images than thosedepicted by FIG. 7 according to the scope of the present invention.Moreover, the icons may themselves be varied dynamically or modulated toconvey additional information to the user (e.g., a modulating orblinking “eye” icon may indicate that the visual display policy is onlyenforced for certain functions or conditions, etc.).

In one embodiment, a selector box 710 of the type shown in FIG. 7 isused for selecting among a set of detected access points. According to apreferred embodiment, the selector box 710 is responsive to mousecoordinates, mouse clicks, and/or specific keyboard strokes (such as bydepressing the TAB key), or user tactile input such as via a touchdisplay. Just as in FIG. 6, a user acknowledgment 604 is provided toreceive an indication that the user has accepted all of the policiesrepresented by the AP policy icons 706 under the selected access point(in this case, Access Point 4 602(4)).

Note also, however, that mechanisms for accepting policies on acase-by-case basis may also be utilized, such as where acceptance of allpolicies put forth by the AP are not required for an AP/mobile deviceassociation to be maintained. For instance, security policies may bedeemed “essential” or mandatory, yet display policies optional for thesame AP. The user can therefore, via their GUI, selectively accept ordecline policies on an individual basis, and optionally be alertedregarding which of these policies are mandatory (such as via a coloredor modulating icon, or a notification if a mandatory policy is notaccepted).

In certain embodiments, the wireless device 100 comprises a mechanismfor implementing a user-specified policy mask or rule. For example, theuser may specify to always accept quiet zone requirements, and to neveraccept Bluetooth- or cellular-restricted zones. In this manner, certainzones may advantageously be automatically (or user-permissively)filtered out from the user's list of available access points accordingto the user's specified policy. Alternatively, a graphic element (e.g.,an “X”) may be used to indicate the presence of the AP but thenon-compliance of that AP with the user's rule(s). Such user-based rulesmay be entered for example via the aforementioned GUI interfaces, oralternatively via a menu or other structure within the mobile deviceapplication software.

Methods

FIG. 8 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a first embodiment of themethod of controlling a wireless device in accordance with the presentinvention. First, a default set of functions (one or more) is selectedin step 800. In this mode (at step 802), the wireless device continuallylistens for a signal that would trigger a state change. In someembodiments, the signal is transmitted by a remote access point upondetecting that the wireless device has entered a certain zone orgeographic area. In other embodiments, the signal is transmitted by aremote access point upon creating an association with the wirelessdevice. Exemplary methods of implementing these “triggers” has alreadybeen described above (see FIGS. 1-3 and accompanying text).

Upon receiving the signal, the wireless device then changes to amodified set of functionality (one or more modified functions orconfiguration changes) at step 804. For example, the change may requirethat all sound is disabled on the wireless device. Then, at step 806,the wireless device continually listens for a signal that would triggeranother state change. For example, a signal may be transmitted by theremote access point upon detecting that the wireless device has nowexited the zone or geographic area designated for the policy, oralternatively, that the access point has presently dissociated with thewireless device.

Note that although FIG. 8 depicts the original functionality beingrestored upon detection of a state change, this assumes that the statechange was to the prior state (i.e., to the state corresponding to thefunctions available at step 800). However, this is merely illustrative;in other embodiments, multiple sets of differing functionality may infact be required. For example, as the wireless device passes from Zone Ato Zone B to Zone C, each zone may have a different set of associatedpolicies, thus requiring the wireless device to transition among severalstates which are distinct from its original state.

FIG. 9 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a second embodiment of themethod of controlling a wireless device in accordance with the presentinvention. A first set of functions is selected at step 900. At step902, the wireless device continually listens for one or more signalstransmitted from a remote access point. When the wireless device isreceiving the signals, a second set of functions is selected at step904. When the wireless is not receiving the signals, the first set offunctions (or a default set of functions) is selected at step 900.

FIG. 10 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a third embodiment of themethod of controlling a wireless device in accordance with the presentinvention. A first set of functions is enabled at step 1000. Next, thewireless device at step 1002 continually checks whether it is presentlyconnected to an access point requiring a designated policy. Uponconnecting to such an access point, a second set of functions is enabledat step 1004. Note that the second set of functions can either be inaddition to, or in lieu of, the first set of functions. The wirelessdevice then reverts back to its original functionality (the first set offunctions only) or a default function set upon detecting a disconnectionfrom the access point at step 1006.

Policies and Templates

A wide range of policies, whether AP-specified or user-specified, can beutilized consistent with the present invention, as described in greaterdetail below.

For example, in some embodiments, the policies relate to “quiet” zones.According to these embodiments, audible ringers are disabled or mutedupon the mobile device receiving one or more control signals/commands.In other embodiments, the policies relate to “dark” zones. In theseembodiments, the wireless device is required to be set to a certainlight intensity and/or brightness (or alternatively, to a specificlighting configuration or modulation pattern). In certain variants, thereduction in light intensity relates to the wake-up function of thewireless device (such as when receiving an incoming call).

In other variants, the lighting policy is changed according to one ormore auto-sensing features of the wireless device 100, for example, as afunction of a detected amount of ambient light and one or more thresholdparameters actuated by the access point or base station.

In certain embodiments, the policies relate to enabling/disablingBluetooth inquiry, pairing and/or bonding functionality. Such inquiry orpairing/bonding can be disruptive in certain settings (e.g., in a movietheater, or location where the user's undivided attention is required),since it may (i) alert the receiving user, and (ii) require confirmationor acceptance of the pairing/bonding request. Using the techniques ofthe present invention, such Bluetooth functions may be disabled upon thewireless device 100 entering a certain zone, or associating with themobile access point 500. In one embodiment, this is accomplished usingthe WiFi beacon described above (i.e., in device having both Bluetoothand WiFi capability), in that Bluetooth has no “beacon” per se, althoughother communication channels may be used for communicating thecommand(s) as well.

Additional embodiments comprise policies related to radiation emissionand/or electromagnetic interference (EMI). For example, in oneembodiment, a policy prohibits a wireless device from increasing power(such as on its cellular or WiFi interface) so as to mitigateinterference with other indigenous devices. For instance, sensitiveelectronic instruments of other devices in a given zone may require thatradiated power in certain frequency bands (e.g., 1.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz, etc.)or of certain multiple access or modulation types (e.g., DSSS, OFDM,FHSS, etc.) be held to low levels so as to avoid interference or damage.

Similarly, a function may optionally be included which turns on/off orotherwise affects the operation of the device Bluetooth interface when aWiFi association with an AP is detected, or vice versa, so as tomitigate mutual interference. Specifically, devices with co-existing andpotentially interfering air interfaces (e.g., WiFi and Bluetooth, bothin the 2.4 GHz band) might have one of the air interfaces disabled orenter a different mode of operation (such as Bluetooth adaptivefrequency hopping or AFH) so as to mitigate the effects of interferencebetween the two interfaces. For instance, one approach would be to havethe mobile device, when operating its Bluetooth interface, periodicallycheck to see if an association was requested or formed between the WiFiinterface of the same device and an AP; if so, one policy (imposed byeither the mobile device or the AP after the association was formed)might be to apply a prioritization rule that would shut down theBluetooth interface (or mitigate its radiated power) so as to avoid atleast some interference with the WiFi interface. Moreover, one or moreof the methods described in co-pending and co-owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/006,992 filed Jan. 7, 2008 and entitled “METHODSAND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS DEVICE COEXISTENCE”, incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, may be used consistent with the presentinvention in order to mitigate the effects of such wireless signalinterference.

In some embodiments, the policy relates to display or access of contentover a network. Thus, certain types of content may be filtered or maskedin order to block or restrict the wireless device's capability to accessto such content. For instance, access to certain IP addresses or deviceports/sockets may be blocked, thereby frustrating certain types ofaccess or operations.

In certain embodiments, the policy relates to security (includingwithout limitation integrity protection, authentication, and privacy).For instance, certain types of data may be, as a class, in need of highlevels of protection due to their nature, while others carry few if anysecurity requirements. Therefore, according to some embodiments, thepolicy allows wireless devices 100 to operate only if they can implementa certain minimum level of security. In this manner, various embodimentsof the present invention enable security zones to be designated.

In another such application, entry of a wireless device within apredetermined range of an AP (or upon the precedent communicationsbetween the AP and the mobile unit for establishing an associationoccurring) may be used to trigger an enhanced security mode; e.g.,increase Bluetooth security mode from Mode 0 to Mode 1 or Mode 2.Another policy may require Bluetooth devices to operate in only SecurityModes 1 or 2 (and not Mode zero)

Conversely, one policy may be that all data encryption or other means offrustrating access to data must be removed, such as in an examinationsetting so that a proctor can see the substance of all communicationsoccurring on mobile devices associated with a given AP.

In other embodiments, the policies relate to sleep or wake-up modesassociated with the wireless device 100. In some variants, the controlsignal is adapted to force the device into sleep mode (for example, asupon entering a zone or connecting with a specific access point) oralternatively, to force the device to “wake-up” in order to implement aspecific policy. For example, in the context of the iPhone devicemanufactured by the Assignee hereof, a hardware switch controlled bysoftware within the device is used to accomplish this function; however,other approaches may be used.

It will also be appreciated that while the various aspects of thepresent invention can be used to enforce restrictive policies (i.e.,those which disable or prevent certain types of functions from beingutilized or invoked), it may also be used to assure that certain typesof functions are invoked (or at least available for use). For instance,in one embodiment, the designated “zone” or radius associated with abase station or access point is used to assure certain types ofcapabilities exist; e.g., emergency notification or positioningfunctions are turned on and in standby. Hence, a user entering withinthe aforementioned zone or radius with their wireless mobile device in amode which disables audible ringing on incoming calls might experience a“re-enablement” of the ringing function for such incoming calls; e.g., adoctor or fireman could have a home or premises AP policy that theirmobile device is automatically enabled to ring in a certain fashion(e.g., at elevated volume or according to a different audible pattern orone unique to that particular user or circumstance), and perhapsmodulate the display (“flash”) for certain types of incomingcommunications when they associate with their premises AP, such whenthey get home from work and are “on call”. This would help prevent anymissed communications or having them go to voicemail unnoticed, etc.

In still another embodiment, when coverage of a designated area (e.g., aclassroom or lecture hall where an examination is to be given) is by twoor more local hotspots, one hotspot (e.g., AP) can instruct the mobiledevice to “shun” or ignore other associations with other hotspots so asto avoid a user doing an “end-run” around a communications suppressionpolicy via a second hotspot. A list of mobile devices which do notadhere to the shunning policy may also be generated by AP or anotherentity responsible for policy directives, and these mobile devices (andoptionally their owners) can be excluded from the zone of interest;e.g., from taking the exam.

As yet another policy, an AP or base station might enforce capacity orbandwidth limitations on one or more communication or data interfaces.For instance, a WiFi interface existing between the mobile device and APmay be throttled or capped in terms of bandwidth allocated to the mobiledevice, or other allocation policies invoked with regard to thatinterface; see, e.g., co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/008,623 entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR NETWORK RESOURCEALLOCATION” filed Jan. 10, 2008, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, for exemplary apparatus and methods usefulfor allocating capacity within a wireless node.

Moreover, as described elsewhere herein, other communications interfaces(e.g., cellular, WiMAX, etc.) associated with that particular mobiledevice can be disabled as part of the policy enforcement.

Any combination of the aforementioned policies can be utilized withvarious embodiments disclosed herein, and the above examples are merelyillustrative. Myriad other policies can be utilized in accordance withthe scope of the present invention.

In addition to the various policies described above, the presentinvention may also make use of templates or “profiles” which impose setsof certain policies based on the context of the application. Thesetemplates may be user-generated, or alternatively generated by theservice provider or the administrator/proprietor of the base station orAP.

For example, in one variant, a template for a movie theater (“MovieTheater”) might contain the following policies: (i) disable audibleringer; (ii) vibrating mode enabled (low); (iii) no wakeup for incomingcalls or text messages; and (iv) display enabled for “dim” mode only. Inthe case where a user has the option of imposing their own policies,they might simply run down a list of different profiles to pick theappropriate one, and then invoke the polices associated with thatprofile by selecting the “Accept” function of the GUI of FIGS. 6 and 7for example. Alternatively, the user might specify in a rule that it isalways acceptable to utilize or accept the “Movie Theater” policy set,thereby allowing the AP at the movie theater to automatically configuretheir mobile device upon association or coming within a prescribed rangeof the AP.

In another variant, the user-prescribed rules or templates can betransmitted from the mobile device to a requesting AP (such as uponinitial association), in effect telling the policy controller 516 of theAP what policies the user is willing to accept. If the mandatory policyset for that AP is satisfied by that user, then an association will bepermitted. If not, the user may be alerted as to the one or moreoffending restrictions/selections, and given an opportunity to correctit/them.

Business Methods and Applications

The methods and apparatus for enforcing one or more policies on deviceusers described above lends itself to various types of commercialapplications and business models.

As a first illustration of the foregoing principles, assume that a userenters a movie theater. While the user is in the movie theater, themobile device deactivates its cellular communications interface and/orautomatically sets the device to a silent mode. When the user leaves themovie theater, the portable device enables phone communications and/orrestores the ringer setting to the setting utilized prior to thedevice's deactivation. Hence, a theater owner or operator may feasiblycharge additional in the way of ticket price (or offer as a freeincentive) the feature of “no cell phone interruptions” during certainmovies.

In another embodiment, a WiFi-based command is emitted within a certainfacility (for example, a locker room, a government building, or theaforementioned movie theater). The command instructs the device to enterinto a “lockdown” mode. Different facilities may enact different“lockdown” modes. For instance, a locker room facility may issue acommand that prevents use of a cellular phone camera or laptop computercamera while in that area, thereby preventing surreptitious imaging ofcustomers/users. Customers of such facilities may be willing to payextra for the peace of mind associated with knowing that they are notbeing secretly photographed.

Likewise, an airline operator or airport may cause the mobile device toenter into an “airplane” mode, wherein all electromagnetic emissions ofsignificance are prevented, at least during flight, thereby moreaffirmatively preventing interference with aircraft communications orinstrumentation and enhancing safety. Similarly, if a terrorist threator other security breach is detected, the airport may disable at least aportion of the wireless communications within a terminal using a policycommand, thereby potentially frustrating communications betweenindividual terrorists or other criminals.

In enterprise or corporate settings, the present invention findsnumerous applications. For instance, the audible policy previouslydescribed may be used in conference rooms or meetings with an AP so asto automatically mute each person's mobile device (e.g., cellulartelephone) so as to avoid interruptions. Moreover, security policies maybe invoked (e.g., no—non-secure or unencrypted voice or datacommunications over any AP or cellular phone within a given region), orrestrictions on access to certain internetworks, IP addresses, servers,etc. from mobile devices.

In an automotive setting, the present invention may be used to enforcepolicy upon a mobile device (e.g., smartphone or the like) while a useris driving, such as via the aforementioned position location (e.g., GPS)apparatus. For instance, one policy of a cellular service provider maybe to blank out or prevent incoming calls to a user while that user isin a vehicle that is determined to be moving over time, unless so-called“hands free” technology (e.g., a suitable Bluetooth headset profile) isin use simultaneously. In this fashion, the user would be all butprevented from being distracted by their cellular phone while drivingunless they are operating in hands-free mode (as will be mandated byCalifornia State law in July of 2008 for example).

As evidenced by the foregoing examples, the present invention findswidespread potential application in any number of economic orbusiness-related arenas, due in large part to the ubiquitous nature ofwireless mobile devices in modern society. By freeing a mobile deviceuser (and in fact, a premises owner or operator, or enterprise) fromhaving to reconfigure their mobile device manually for various differentsituations they may encounter during any given period of time, a greatamount of time may be saved, thereby resulting in increased satisfactionand user experience (as well as productivity). Moreover, many userswould be more than willing to pay simply for the convenience of havingthe mobile device in effect “adapt itself” to their current context;e.g., in the movies, at a meeting, on call at home, etc.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the invention aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, thesedescriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of theinvention, and may be modified as required by the particularapplication. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional undercertain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality maybe added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance oftwo or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the invention disclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Theforegoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated ofcarrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to belimiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the generalprinciples of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device, comprising: wireless circuitryconfigured to communicate with at least one wireless node via a wirelessnetwork; a display; sensor circuitry; one or more processors; and one ormore memories having program instructions stored thereon that areexecutable by the one or more processors to cause the mobile device to:display an option to accept future alteration of one or more parametersof the mobile device; detect, using the sensor circuitry, a conditionassociated with the mobile device, wherein the condition comprises atleast one of an environmental condition, a wireless connectioncondition, or a location condition; and automatically implement, inresponse to detecting the condition and user selection of the option, anadjustment to a display parameter.
 2. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein acceptance of the option is required for connection, by themobile device, to a wireless node.
 3. The mobile device of claim 2,wherein the mobile device is configured to receive informationspecifying the adjustment to the display parameter from the wirelessnode.
 4. The mobile device of claim 3, wherein the mobile device isfurther configured to receive, from the wireless node, informationspecifying a threshold amount of ambient light; and wherein the mobiledevice is configured to implement the adjustment to the displayparameter based on whether ambient light measured by the mobile deviceexceeds the threshold.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thedisplay parameter comprises an intensity parameter or a brightnessparameter.
 6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the conditionincludes an environmental condition.
 7. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the condition includes a location condition of the mobiledevice.
 8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the condition includesthat the mobile device has moved more than a threshold distance over atime interval.
 9. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the conditionincludes that the mobile device is not in a hands-free mode ofoperation.
 10. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the conditionincludes an environmental condition corresponding to an amount ofambient light measured by the mobile device.
 11. A method, comprising:displaying, by a mobile device, an option to accept a connection to awireless node, wherein the option indicates potential altering of atleast one or more parameters of the mobile device based on theconnection; detecting, by the mobile device, a wireless connectioncondition associated with the mobile device; and altering, by the mobiledevice, one or more display parameters of the mobile device in responseto the detecting and a user response to the option.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the wireless connection condition is a connection to awireless node that specifies at least one of the one or more displayparameters for adjustment.
 13. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: receiving, by the mobile device from an access point,information specifying a threshold amount of ambient light; wherein thealtering is further performed in response to determining whether ambientlight measured by the mobile device exceeds the threshold.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the one or more parameters of the displayinclude at least one of: an intensity parameter or a brightnessparameter.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium havinginstructions stored thereon that are executable by a mobile computingdevice to perform operations comprising: displaying a user-selectableoption to accept a future alteration of a display parameter of themobile computing device; detecting an environmental condition associatedwith the mobile device, wherein the environmental condition correspondsto an amount of ambient light measured by the mobile device; determininga current time of day; and altering the display parameter of the mobiledevice in response to the detecting and based on the current time of daymatching a predetermined time of day.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the amount of ambientlight is specified by a wireless node.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations furthercomprise altering an audio parameter of the mobile device in response tothe detecting.